Headmaster’s Newsletter – 12 May 2017

Posted 12 May 2017

Dear Parents,

This week it is very pleasing to share with you two pieces of academic success.

Firstly, congratulations to Pietro Demicheli and Christopher Thum who sat the scholarship examinations at Kings’ College School, Wimbledon for 13+ entry last week. Pietro has been offered a Scholarship and Christopher, although not offered a scholarship, all his papers were “clearly above Common Entrance” standard.

Secondly, on Tuesday we sent three teams from Upper Transitus and Senior School to the St. Swithun’s School Maths Challenge in Winchester. Two teams won silver medals and one team bronze from a field of more than thirty. Congratulations to all who took part: Emma Brambilla, Isobel Edmead, Claudia Hutcheson, Stefanos Ioannidis, Katya Lacorzana, Nicolo Marcello, Bianca Marquis, Mai Noubir, Emma Penrose, Elena Pesciarelli, Arabella Scanlon and Nina Topiol.

Thank you too to all the members of staff who have played such a significant role in the success of all our pupils. Next week the boys in their final year will be sitting the Common Entrance Mental Maths paper and also French Listening and Oral exams. We wish them every success in these and in the exams after Half Term.

Keeping with the academic theme, the whole of Senior School visited the Science Museum on Thursday as an extension to their science programme this year. As you can see from the pictures it was a very interactive experience.

Our Brass Ensemble will be giving two concerts in Belgium this weekend, returning to London on Monday evening. You will be able to hear what they are performing as they will be repeating the programme on Wednesday in Founders’ Hall at 6pm. Next weekend the St. Cecilia Singers will be going to Switzerland for some concerts in Glion and the surrounding area.

Next week is Christian Aid Week. Here are some words about the charity from the Minister of St Columba’s.

For more than 70 years, Christian Aid has fought poverty, strengthened the poor, and turned hope into action. In the aftermath of World War II, British and Irish church leaders met, determining to do everything possible to help European refugees who had lost everything. The purpose of Christian Reconstruction in Europe was not to evangelise, but to alleviate suffering for ordinary people, no matter what their faith. That was the beginning of today’s Christian Aid. Christian Aid Week has been running for 60 years; its theme this year is “We’ve been there for refugees since 1945. We won’t turn our backs now.”

Boys and girls will be collecting after Assembly. Thank you for your generosity.

As the weather improves and the afternoons and evenings are lighter and warmer it means that many take the opportunity to take a more leisurely journey home and enjoying the cafés on Pavilion Road and Duke of York’s Square. Please remember that the Hill House uniform is distinctive and that any child wearing it is an ambassador of the school and should behave as such. Please ensure that all children are supervised appropriately at all times and are considerate to all members of the general public.

On Monday 22 May there will be a talk for parents about how to talk to children about drugs. This will be focused primarily towards parents with children nearing the end of their time at Hill House but will be open to all those interested. This is the first time we have had such a talk. So that we can get an idea of numbers wishing to attend we will be sending invitations to all Main School parents at the beginning of next week. Any parents who have children in other buildings and who wish to attend are asked to request an invitation from the school office.

The week ahead is filled with sports fixtures and music showcases, details of which can been found in the Calendar section of the website.